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Volunteer stories |
| Volunteer Doctor |
After a feasibility study held by NAVNET to assess volunteer needs, we identified that most children who have been rehabilitated from the streets suffer numerous conditions resulting from abuse, neglect and bad weather. These conditions are almost always poorly managed due to lack of expertise and ignorance thus the need for a doctor(s) to address this situation. We decided to have a trial program and see whether there were individuals who would be willing to assist. After a lot of brain storming we wrote to our partners sharing our predicament. The first to respond and express the desire to give it a shot was Dr. Chewe (Gynecologist /Obstrecian). He was willing to give 2 hours a week to a centre that NAVNET would identify however; he needed to know what exactly he could do to help. After orientation and induction was conducted, Dr. Chewe was ready to start. Initially, he was given fuel worth 300 shillings per visit.
When he started working, he realized that the need for his services was enormous and that 2 hours was not enough. He therefore increased the visits to two visits per week of 2 hours each. With time he was able to introduce other doctors to the centre to be able to cope with the centre’s demands. Dr. Chewe now dedicates all his free time to volunteer service and does not receive any form of facilitation – including the fuel reimbursement. To him what he does is “just human”.
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| The Program Coordinator, Anne Kihagi was equally grateful; |
| “NAVNET has been able to give us essential services some of which are too expensive for us to afford. The children are very happy because they feel at least that someone cares. They also have access to a professional gynecologist who is also a volunteer from NAVNET. In the last month we have had overwhelming support from well wishers who have been mobilized by the same organization. The clothes donated, food, toys among others will be put to very good use. The volunteer doctor has also introduced us to other doctors at Kenyatta National Hospital which means that when he is not available, the children can be seen by these other doctors at a reasonable charge.” |
| Community Organization Practitioners’ Agencies (COPA) |
| Volunteer placed in this organization helps in planning and documentation. She works part time as she is still a student pursuing an MBA. The program coordinator who is also the volunteer’s supervisor said that they have been able to do so much with the help of the volunteer. ‘’We look forward to her visits as she always takes us a step ahead…………..” says Geoffrey the program coordinator. The volunteer is very grateful as she feels that she is able to put her theory learning into practice. She is about to finish her studies and embark on her thesis which will give her more time to volunteer with the organization.
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